Rack for papers



( No Model.)

S. J. BEIGHEL.

RAOK FOR PAPERS, M.

No. 410,571. Patented Sept. 10', 1889.

WITNESSESv INVENTOR,

them in place.

UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE.

811313 J. BEIGHEL, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

RACK FOR PAPERS, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,571, dated September 10, 1889.

Application filed December 31, 1888. Serial No. 295,032. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern..-

Be it known that I, SIBB J. BEIGHEL, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Ii'nprovementin Racks for Papers, 850., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is afrontview of my improved rack. Fig. 2 is aside view thereof.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.

My improved rack consists of three main parts-a back or frame by which the rack is or may be suspended against the wall from a hook or otherwise, a pivoted front portion or holder which bears against the contents of the rack and holds them in place, and a pivoted lever or support on which the contents of the rack preferably rest, said lever or support being affixed to or made integral with the holder, so that the gravity of the contents of the rack acting thereon shall press the holder against such contents and shall hold It also comprises, preferably, a fourth part-namely, a projection-which extends downwardly from the pivoted lever or support, and is adapted by engagement with the wall to prevent upsetting of the holder and spilling of the contents.

My improved rack may be made of various materials and in various forms. For neatness of appearance, lightness of weight, and cheapness of construction, I prefer to make it of wire, and have so illustrated it in the drawings, and while this form possesses certain intrinsic patentable features of invention, which I desire to claim specifically, I wish it to be understood that my invention, as stated in the following generic claims, is not limited thereto.

Referring now to the drawings, B is the back piece of the rack, which is preferably made of a single piece of wire bent to constitute a frame, with upright sides B, a loop B and horizontally-projecting side pieces B whose ends are connected by a cross-piece B, on which-the pivoted lever or support hereinafter described is j ournaled. The remainder of the rack-viz., the front piece or holder,

the supporting-lever, and its projecting portion, are preferably made of a second single piece of wire, which is bent as shown in the drawings, C being the upright front portion or holder; 0, the horizontal portion constituting the supporting-lever; C the intermediatclooped portions, which encircle and form the pivotal connections with the cross-piece B and C being the downwardly-projecting portion of the supporting-lever, which prevents overturning of the holder, as before explained.

The manner of use of the article is as follows: The rack is suspended from a nail or suitable support D, and the pamphlets, newspapers, letters, or books to be held are placed in the rack between the upright holder 0 and the back frame, with their edges resting on the supporting-lever C. The gravity of the supported articles, acting on this supportinglever and depressing it, tends to force the holder C inwardly and to cause it to press upon the outer one of the pamphlets or papers and to hold them firmly in place, and, obviously, the greater the Weight thus exerted by the pamphlets or papers on the ledge the greater will be the retaining force and the more firmly will they be held in place. This automatic retaining action is the important feature of my invention, since it dispenses with the necessity for the use of springs or any other special retaining contrivances, and makes the rack simple in its construction and altogether reliable in its working. If, however, additional force be desired to be applied by the holder to the contents of the rack, this may be obtained by applying weight to the supporting-lever, as shown atE in Fig. 1, and by making the weight sufficiently heavy it is possible within the scope of my invention to cause the Weight of the pamphlets, 850., to be borne entirely by the side pieces B of the frame, and to use the gravity of the Weighted lever alone to actuate the holder. To remove any one or more of the pamphlets, 850., from the rack, the holder-frame C is pulled forward, so as to loosen its grasp thereon, and when the article is removed the holder will spring back automatically to retain the remaining article or articles. In thus pulling the holder C forward it is prevented from upsetting and spilling its contents (if the center of gravity should be passed) by engagement of the projection or tongue 0 with the wall on which the rack is supported.

The-advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those having occasion to use articles of this nature. It is simple and cheap in its construction and is very efficient. It may be modified in form and details of construction to suit the particular use for which it may be intended, and it may, if desired,be made very ornamental in appearance.

I claim as my invention 1. In a rack for papers or other articles, the combination of a pivoted holder and an inwardly-projecting gravity-lever, by which the holder is pressed against the contents of the rack, substantially as and for the purposes de- 1; hand this 26th day of December, A. D. 1888.

scribed.

2, As a rack forpapersorotherarticles, the i combination, with the main frame, of a lever I on which the contents of the rack are supported, and a holder which is pressed by depression of the lever against the said con- 25 tents, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. As a rack for papers or other articles, the combination, with the main frame, of a lever on which the contents of the rack are sup- 5o ported, a holder connected with the lever and operated thereby, and a projection or tongue I adapted to prevent overturning of the holder,

substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. As a rack for papers or other articles, the

" combination of the frame B, having projecting side pieces B and a holder 0, journaled to the frame and having an inwardly-supporting lever or frame forming the support 40 for the contents of the rack, substantially as 1' and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my SIBB J. BEIGHEL.

Witnesses:

W. B. CORWIN,

THOMAS W. BAKEWELL. 

